Animations



An example of a molecule that has octahedral symmetry.

The molecule shown in this animation is sulfur hexafluoride. Be sure to step through the animation a frame at a time by clicking on the arrow button on the right hand side. This causes rotation of the molecule by 30 degrees. After each rotation notice that there are three planes of symmetry that can be drawn through the atoms. For example, in the second frame, one plane cuts through the four fluorines that in the first frame were on the "equator"; in the fourth frame this plane contains the atoms that lie in the plane of the screen. As you continue to step through each frame notice that the molecule looks exactly the same on both sides of the plane. Also try to identify the other two planes of symmetry that contain the central sulfur and four fluorine atoms.